The School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), in collaboration with the Albany Symphony, the New York State Canal Corporation, and the New York Power Authority, will host a symposium titled Reflections on Waterways: Intersections of Arts, Culture, and the Environment in New York on Friday, November 14, 2025, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the Center For Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies (CBIS) Auditorium at RPI. 

The symposium revisits and reflects on the historic series of celebratory performances presented along the Erie Canal during its 200th anniversary, exploring how art, history, and the environment converge in shaping New York’s cultural identity. 

Completed in 1825, the Erie Canal was the largest state-funded public works project of the 19th century and the first navigable waterway linking the Atlantic Ocean and the Great Lakes. Once called the “nation’s first superhighway,” it transformed commerce, accelerated westward expansion, and forever altered the trajectory of U.S. history. Today, though its primary use is recreational, the Erie Canal remains a powerful symbol of innovation and community. Its legacy is preserved through museums along its corridor, which is recognized nationally as the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. 

“RPI is committed to supporting and sharing local history through the arts,” said Rebecca Doerge, Provost at RPI. “This symposium brings together music, scholarship, and public dialogue to celebrate the ongoing legacy of the canal, while also considering the role of waterways in shaping both past and future cultural life in New York State.” 

The program will feature screenings of musical works originally commissioned for the canal bicentennial, paired with remarks from RPI faculty and guest speakers, as well as panel discussions on the intersections of arts, technology, and history. 

Program highlights include: 

• Opening remarks by Rebecca Doerge, Provost of RPI; Brian Stratton and Rebecca Hughes, Director and Executive Deputy Director, New York State Canal Corporation / New York Power Authority; and Will Pedigo, WMHT VP Chief Content and Engagement Officer. 
• Screenings of commissioned works including Canton Tea Man’s Tale (Dai Wei), and Earth and Water (Clarice Assad). 
• Scholarly commentary and presentations from RPI faculty, including Chris Tozzi (Science and Technology Studies), Rob Hamilton (Arts), and Kate Galloway (Games and Experiential Media). 
• Student presentations highlighting interdisciplinary work that engages with themes of waterways, culture, and environment. 

The symposium is free and open to the public, but registration is required at https://webforms.rpi.edu/registration-reflections-waterways. Coffee and light refreshments will be available in the morning for attendees. 

Event Details 

Reflections on Waterways: Intersections of Arts, Culture, and the Environment in New York 
Date: Friday, November 14, 2025 
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 
Location: CBIS Auditorium, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 

For more information and to register, please visit: https://webforms.rpi.edu/registration-reflections-waterways.